Former World No.1 Lleyton Hewitt has cast doubts over whether Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic can return to dominate the men’s tennis circuit as they had before injury.
It is the first time in their respective careers that the players have been forced to take extended breaks from the tour due to serious injury.
Hewitt speaking to Sky Sports said: “I don’t know if they’ll be as dominant as they were. For them just to pick up from where they left off a couple of years ago, it may not be that easy. But don’t write those guys off.”
“Both those guys, Djokovic and Murray, have played so well in Australia. They play so well in the hot conditions and also in the night matches on Rod Laver Arena.
“If they can get through that first week and give themselves a chance then they’re going to be tough to beat.
Hewitt also pointed to the fact that Djokovic and Murray will not be the only stars returning from injury in the new season. Hewitt: “But it’s an interesting one. You’ve got (Stan) Wawrinka, (Milos) Raonic, (Kei) Nishikori – a lot of top guys coming off an extended break from injuries or surgeries at the end of the year.”
Hewitt, a former World No.1, won Wimbledon and the US Open early in his career before a catalogue of injuries saw him slip down the rankings in the later years of his career.
